Time for the first step

If you’ve got an inkling of some new direction you’d like to take be that a hobby or at work then finding a bit of time to take the first creative step – however small is essential. If you don’t want to be left with the regret of having never tried but are struggling with the “I just don’t have the time” problem then some analysis of where you’re time is going will help.

Once you know where the time is going you might be able see some opportunities for freeing up just an hour week to take that first experimental step.

The classic technique for doing this is to keep a log of what you do and then to total up under various categories. If you’re being honest this will show you how staggering the amount of TV you watch is and how much of your work time is spent in meetings or chatting with colleagues. Well done if it doesn’t. Whatever your situation it’s not just the volumes of time against various activities that’s an issue. That would be the concern of traditional time management with it’s gimlet eye on productivity and efficiency. What is more important is how well you spend your time fits with who you are.

This means that more time spent doing things that match your values, your personality and your passions and skills will make you happier. Continuing to do things that mismatch mean a life of inner conflict. Even artfully switching one hour a week from something you can control to the new idea is a step in the right direction. And who knows where it could lead.

In a nutshell that’s what my new book – Time For The Real You – is about. Currently, I’m part way through the second draft so it’ll be in your favourite ebook store in the coming weeks. Watch this space for more news.

As part of the book project I’ve put up a new worksheet in the free downloads page for those wanting to do some time analysis and mark up how each hour matches with who they really are.

Let me know what you think and if you can identify where you can switch some time.

If this post was useful why not have a look at the following:

• Time Choices – Moving on from time Management
• Time In Balance
• The art of saying No